Ilisa Halpern Paul

About

Ilisa Halpern Paul has more than 20 years of experience in government relations, advocacy, and policymaking in for-profit, non-profit, academic, federally-funded, and government settings. She leads the firm’s Lobbying, Policy and Advocacy team as managing government relations director and is president of the District Policy Group.

Ilisa advises for-profit companies and non-profit organizations with respect to advancing their federal legislative, regulatory, programmatic, policy, and business goals. She works with clients to establish and strengthen relationships with elected officials and federal agencies, develop and implement government relations and advocacy programs, craft effective grassroots campaigns, establish coalitions and third-party stakeholder partnerships and affect the outcomes of appropriations measures, authorizing legislation, and federal regulatory actions.

Ilisa is particularly skilled in creating innovative messaging, tactics, and materials in support of her clients’ policy goals; bringing traditional and nontraditional partners to the table in support of common goals; fostering relationships with members of Congress and their staff; and collaborating with administration and federal agency staff.

Ilisa is a sought-after speaker, panelist, meeting facilitator and advocacy trainer. She has given more than 125 speeches and keynote addresses at national conferences for trade associations, professional societies, and advocacy organizations.

Prior to her work as a government relations consultant, Ilisa served as director of federal government Relations for the American Cancer Society and also worked as director of federal affairs with the American Public Health Association (APHA). Ilisa began her Washington, D.C. career working on the policy staff of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein following research assistant positions with Adeza Biomedical and the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program.

Experience

With more than 20 years in Washington, DC policy work, Ilisa brings significant experience with respect to navigating the federal policymaking environment. In her work, Ilisa:

Delivers presentations, speeches, and webinar remarks on topics, such as the Supreme Court review of health care reform, election outlook and outcomes, Congressional trends and happenings, and use of social media in advocacy.

Writes a monthly column for The Morning Consult as an opinion-editorial contributor.

Insights & Events

Recognitions

Top Lobbyists, The Hill (2015-2018)
William N. Reich Outstanding Achievement Award, American Association of Bioanalysts and National Independent Laboratory Association (2009)
Young Alumni of the Year, Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority (2007)